Agenda and minutes

1.         This meeting is to be webcast. Members are reminded of the need to activate their microphones before speaking.

2.         The Chairman will read the following announcement:

“I would like to remind everyone present that this meeting will be broadcast live to the Internet and will be capable of repeated viewing and copies of the recording could be made available for those that request it.

If you are seated in the lower public seating area it is likely that the recording cameras will capture your image and this will result in the possibility that your image will become part of the broadcast.

This may infringe your human and data protection rights and if you wish to avoid this you should move to the upper public gallery”

The Chairman made a short address to remind all present that the meeting would be broadcast on the Internet, and that the Council had adopted a protocol for the webcasting of its meetings. The Sub-Committee noted the Council’s Protocol for Webcasting of Council and Other Meetings.

To welcome Members to the first meeting of this committee for 2007/08. The Council, at its Annual Meeting will appoint the Chairman, Vice Chairman and members of the committee.

The Chairman welcomed members of the public to the inaugural meeting of the Sub-Committee and outlined the procedures and arrangements adopted by the Council to enable persons to address the Sub-Committee, in relation to the determination of applications for planning permission. The Sub-Committee noted the advice provided for the public and speakers in attendance at Council Planning Sub-Committee meetings.

(Head of Research and Democratic Services) To declare interests in any item on this agenda.

(a)            Pursuant to the Council’s Code of Member Conduct, Councillor Mrs D Collins declared a personal and prejudicial interest in the following item of the agenda and would leave the meeting for the consideration of the application and voting thereon:

• EPF/0729/07 - Part of Toll House Field, Woodside, North Weald, Epping

(b)            Pursuant to the Council’s Code of Member Conduct, Councillor R Frankel declared a personal and prejudicial interest in the following item of the agenda and would leave the meeting for the consideration of the application and voting thereon:

• EPF/0842/07 - Albanridge, Theydon Park Road, Theydon Bois, Epping

(c)            Pursuant to the Council’s Code of Member Conduct, Councillor G Pritchard declared a personal and prejudicial interest in the following items of the agenda, by virtue of owning a property which backed onto the sites in question, and would leave the meeting for the consideration of the applications and voting thereon:

• EPF/0397/07 - 11 Great Stony Park, High Street, Ongar, Essex

• EPF/0603/07 - 9 Great Stony Park, High Street, Ongar, Essex

(d)            Pursuant to the Council’s Code of Member Conduct, Councillor D Stallan declared a personal interest in the following item of the agenda, by virtue of being a member of North Weald Parish Council. The Councillor had determined that his interest was not prejudicial and would remain in the meeting for the consideration of the application and voting thereon:

• EPF/0729/07 - Part of Toll House Field, Woodside, North Weald

(e)            Pursuant to the Council’s Code of Member Conduct, Councillor Mrs J Hedges declared a personal interest in the following items of the agenda, by virtue of being a member of Epping Town Council. The Councillor had determined that her interest was not prejudicial and would remain in the meeting for the consideration of the applications and voting thereon:

• EPF/0379/07 - 77 – 79 High Street, Epping

• EPF/0526/07 - 30 Severns Field, Epping

(f)            Pursuant to the Council’s Code of Member Conduct, Councillor G Pritchard declared a personal and prejudicial interest in the following item of the agenda, by virtue of knowing the applicant, and would leave the meeting for the consideration of the application and voting thereon:

• EPF/0686/07 - School House, The Street, Willingale, Ongar

Section 100B(4)(b) of the Local Government Act 1972, together with paragraphs (6) and (24) of the Council Procedure Rules contained in the Constitution requires that the permission of the Chairman be obtained, after prior notice to the Chief Executive, before urgent business not specified in the agenda (including a supplementary agenda of which the statutory period of notice has been given) may be transacted.

In accordance with Operational Standing Order 6 (non-executive bodies), any item raised by a non-member shall require the support of a member of the Committee concerned and the Chairman of that Committee.  Two weeks' notice of non-urgent items is required.

It was noted that there was no other urgent business for consideration by the Sub-Committee.

To consider the attached report.

The Principal Planning Officer presented a report to the Sub-Committee regarding Planning Appeal Decisions from October 2006 to March 2007. The report, which complied with the recommendation of the District Auditor, advised the Sub-Committee of the results of all successful appeals, in particular those that were refused contrary to officer recommendation.

During the six month period between October 2006 and March 2007, the Council received 74 decisions on appeals – 71 planning and related appeals and 3 enforcement appeals. Of the 71 planning and related appeals 22 were allowed (31%) and none of the 3 enforcements, a combined total of 29.7% of the Council’s decisions being overturned. On this occasion, the proportion of appeals that arose from decisions of the Sub-Committees to refuse contrary to the recommendation of officers was much higher than on previous occasions. Of the 71 appeal decisions, 18 arose in such circumstances and the Council lost 12 of those cases. If those 18 cases were entirely discounted from the statistics, the Council’s performance figure would have been 19%, which was well within the top quartile performance nationally.

There were two cases where costs had been awarded during this period, one was for the Council and one against.

There had been a disproportionately higher number of these appeals allowed in Area Plans A, now entitled “South”. This situation was of some concern to members but officers assured members that it would receive closer examination in the near future.

The Council’s performance during this period, though still better than the national average, had been disappointing but this appeared, in part, to be a reflection of the higher willingness of members to set aside officer’s recommendations.

            RESOLVED:

That the Planning Appeal Decisions from October 2006 to March 2007 be noted.

(Head of Planning and Economic Development)  To consider planning applications as set out in the attached schedule

Background Papers:  (i)  Applications for determination – applications listed on the schedule, letters of representation received regarding the applications which are summarised on the schedule.  (ii)  Enforcement of Planning Control – the reports of officers inspecting the properties listed on the schedule in respect of which consideration is to be given to the enforcement of planning control.

RESOLVED:

That the planning applications numbered 1 – 15 be determined as set out in the schedule attached to these minutes.

(Head of Planning and Economic Development) Schedules of planning applications determined by the Head of Planning and Economic Development under delegated powers since the last meeting of a Plans Subcommittee may be inspected in the Members Room or at the Planning and Economic Development Information Desk at the Civic Offices, Epping.

The Sub-Committee noted that schedules of planning applications determined by the Head of Planning and Economic Development under delegated authority since the last meeting had been circulated and could be inspected at the Civic Offices.